Islamic Center distributes backpacks to children

Some of the children sat by a wall with their parents. Others were cross-legged on the carpet, and most had trouble sitting still.

As is custom, the shoes were left at the door.

After a short presentation Friday afternoon, about 30 children lined up at a table in the Worcester Islamic Center on East Mountain Street for free backpacks and a package of dates.

"We want to be a resource for this community," said Shamil Mohammed, president of the center.

This is the third time the center has passed out free backpacks to schoolchildren in the community, regardless of their religion. They plan to continue it is as an annual event.

The charity programs at the center this year are especially important following the Boston Marathon Bombing in April, which killed three people and left hundreds injured, said Waqar Haider of Shrewsbury, who is involved in the project as president of the Massachusetts chapter of the Islamic Circle of North America.

Dzohkhar Tsarnaev, 19, faces a 30-count indictment for the bombing. Prosecutors allege that inspired by al-Qaida publications, he and his brother, Tamerlan, acted in response to U.S. military involvement in Muslim countries.

"Muslims are not like that," Mr. Haider told the crowd. "We want to tell people that (the media coverage) is not the reality."

The Massachusetts chapter of ICNA will hold another backpack giveaway for schoolchildren today in Quincy. There will be more to follow in Framingham and other areas in New England.

Money for the backpacks was donated by members of the center as well as by non-Muslims, Mr. Haider said.

After the goods were passed out, some parents and their children took a tour of the center and met the Imam, or spiritual leader, as well as the president of the center to ask questions about the religion.

"It's not just a place of worship," Mr. Mohammed said, explaining that they welcome people from all religions to visit and participate in charity events.

It is an important time for the center, said spokesman Tahir Ali, because it is the month of Ramadan.

Since sundown July 9, Muslims have fasted from dawn to dusk each day.

"It's a month of charity, it's a month of fasting, it's a month of prayer," Mr. Ali said.

Contact Alli Knothe at aknothe@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @KnotheA.